Perth 'thrill killer' jailed for life

A Perth man who fantasised about murder before fatally bashing a homeless person with a claw hammer and almost killing another with a hatchet, believing he was putting them out of their misery, has been jailed for life.

Daniel James Cohen murdered 48-year-old Ian John Wilson as he lay under a blanket in Northbridge on July 9 and also attacked Daniel John Hoskin, 46, the next night outside a post office in Subiaco, believing he had killed him too.

Cohen, who fidgeted during proceedings, was sentenced in the West Australian Supreme Court on Wednesday and must serve at least 26 years behind bars before being eligible for parole.

The court heard churchgoers found Mr Wilson dead in his sleeping bag near the entrance to Metrochurch on Beaufort Street.

Mr Hoskin was treated in hospital for three severe cuts to his head, telling staff he thought he had fallen, and did not report it to police.

After attacking Mr Wilson, Cohen told a security guard he had killed someone, and police found him with several weapons but he was later released from custody.